Leeds Rhinos hooker Jarrod O'Connor says it would be a dream come true to lift the Grand Final trophy at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
Featuring 21 times for the Rhinos in 2022, O'Connor's rise in recent months had led to him nailing down the number nine spot in the absence of Kruise Leeming and the departing Brad Dwyer, which paid off for coach Rohan Smith on Friday night as O'Connor was instrumental in the Rhinos' semi-final triumph over Wigan Warriors.
The son of former player and current Sky Sports commentator Terry, O'Connor admits his dad has tried to take a backwards step in the mentoring role but still jumps in now and then with some advice, even if it results in friendly banter.
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"He still gives me a few pointers and watches my game back," said O'Connor. "But he just wants to be a dad and watch me play. He's had his time, and he's obviously a big role model I've had going up. Sometimes, it depends on what he says. It depends if he's trying to tell me to play middle or hooker.
"I can't really remember too much of my Dad playing because I was younger, but growing up he's made me watch a few of his games back. He's always there and trying to help me as much as he can. I make sure I pick him up on plenty of work when he's missed those tackles, but it's too late now."
O'Connor also spoke about the unity within the Rhinos set-up and the willingness to work for each other and never give in attitude embedded within the side. The dummy half believes the exuberance and passion in the camp comes down to the number of local players representing their hometown club, with the core group of prospects all growing up supporting the Rhinos.
"I think probably the amount of young loads we've got coming through from the academy as well as that added experience, everyone loves playing together for this team at the minute, and I think you can see that when we take to the field. The longer the game goes on, the more confident we get. The longer we knew they weren't scoring, the more we knew we would score. if you look at us in the second half this season, that's when we score most of our points.
"I can't imagine playing at Old Trafford. It's something I've always grown up wanting to do, to think we're doing that next week, I can't get my head around it. I go every year to watch it. The fact I'm going to be in it is surreal, I can't believe it. When Leeds used to play, I've usually not supported them growing up in Widnes, but I really want Leeds to win this time, so fingers crossed.
O'Connor also thanked coach Rohan Smith, who has done a remarkable job since moving over from Australia, as he explained what changes the boss made when joining from Norths Devils, which has seen the Rhinos rocket up the table and now just 80 minutes away from lifting a ninth Super League title.
"He just allows people to express themselves. The first thing he tried to focus on when he came in was people doing what their best at and that's what we're seeing at the minute. Everyone is doing the plays that work for them and then the defence and all that calmness.
"At the start of the year, I didn't expect to be playing every week. But we had a few injuries, and lucky enough, Rohan has kept me in the team when everyone has come back. The confidence he's shown in me helps tremendously. I don't think it will sink in until I'm playing there. The more I play it the more I enjoy it, but I don't really mind. I like switching in the game just to stay on the pitch more.
"The team performances are helping me enjoy it more, when we're playing like this and get in the big games you can't help but enjoy it. I'm growing more into it, it's something I'm starting to enjoy more."
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